Ian Gary has risen quickly from the welterweight ranks, but his comments on Sean Strickland’s fight against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 have sparked heated debate Gary criticized Adesanya’s game for fear his loss would affect his strike, . defeating Strickland. This criticism did not sit well with Strickland, who took shots on social media, mocking Gary and commenting on an awkward encounter during a UFC show when Strickland was dragged into controversy over harsh comments he made about Gary’s wife , Laila Machado’s character. The online relationship between Gary and Strickland has been pretty great, but what exactly started this beef?
The Beginning of Hatred
The tension began in 2023 when Sean Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya to win the middleweight title. But Ian Gary wasn’t happy. On Ariel Helwani’s ,Gary said his fear of losing to Adesanya was affecting his performance, which contributed to Strickland’s win. “There came a time during the war when Adesanya was more afraid of losing than winning,” Gary said. He claimed to lack all poise for fear of Adesanya’s strikes, allowing Strickland to take advantage of the victory and defend the victory.
Gary didn’t hold back, “No there is no way Sean Strickland is going to raise his hand again”. While Gary acknowledged Strickland’s victory, he didn’t deny that he considers him a celebrity.
Strickland Throws Return Fire
Strickland responded on Instagram, describing the awkward meeting he had with Gary at the UFC Performance Institute. “Guys, I went to PI today and I ran into fcking cck Ian Garry. Awkward man, awkward,” Strickland said in a video. He emphasized stress and talked about how safety can be pursued differently. Strickland sarcastically invited Gary to settle their differences in private: “Slide up in the DMs bro.”
With Layla Machado
The struggle escalated when Strickland dragged Gary’s wife, Layla Machado, to court. On X (formerly Twitter), Strickland called Machado a “succubus” and referenced her book ‘How to Be a Vag’. Strickland criticized Machado’s influence as damaging to his career.
In a video rant, Strickland admonished Gary for using Machado, saying, “You gotta pull that f*cking rip cord, man. Hot girls are a dime a dozen, we give you ring girls, we get you both at the same time bro.” These comments shocked the MMA community and angered Gary.
Gary’s Response
Enraged, Gary threatened to sue Strickland for his comments. Without hesitation, Strickland retaliated with more X-rated comments, calling Gary a coward. Machado also responded, clarifying that his book is an “11-page audio-only comic” from 2010. He added, “If you listen to that comic book, it’s really stupid, and whoever will take it the truth of that statement is utter nonsense There is a missing sign.”
Will They Settle It in the Octagon?
Garry, boiling with rage, declared he wanted to fight Strickland. “I’ve got more people to prove wrong. It’s not fueling me. It’s p*ssing me off,” he said on Instagram. Garry’s frustration was palpable as he voiced his ambitions beyond just this feud. He expressed a strong desire to capture a middleweight title before securing his place as the welterweight champion, showcasing his determination to rise to the top of multiple divisions. In a bold move, Garry also requested a fight against Michael Page, hoping to share the spotlight on the same card as Conor McGregor. This ambitious plan underscores Garry’s confidence and hunger for proving himself in the MMA world, setting the stage for what could be a series of high-stakes, must-watch bouts. His callout has certainly added more fuel to the fire, and fans are eagerly anticipating what’s next.
